Hang-up dispensing cap for containers



J1me 1966 G. K. WOODARD UP DISPENSING CAP FOR CONTAINERS HANG 5 Sheets-Shem 1 Filed Aug. 12, 1964 INVENTOR.

GORDO N K. WOO DA RD ATTORNEY June 14, 1966 cs. K. WOODARD HANG-UP DISPENSING CAP FOR CONTAINERS 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 12, 1964 All! INVENTOR GORDON K. WOODARD ATTORNEY June 14, 1966 5. K. WOODARD 3,255,930

HANG-UP DISPENSING CAP FOR CONTAINERS Filed Aug. 12, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR GORDON K. WOODARD ATTORNEY June 14, 1966 G. K. WOODARD 3,255,930

HANG-UP DISPENSING CAP FOR CONTAINERS Filed Aug. 12, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 I N VEN TOR.

BY GORDON K. WOODARD EST/ M ATTORNEY June 14, 1966 G. K. WOODARD HANGUP DISPENSING CAP FOR CONTAINERS Filed Aug. 12, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 FIG. 20

INVENTOR.

GORDON K. WOODA RD FIG. 24

ATTORNEY United States Patent M 3,255,930 HANG-UP DISPENSING CAP FOR CONTAINERS Gordon K. Woodard, 14155 Magnolia Blvd., Van Nuys, Calif. Filed Aug. 12, 1964, Ser. No. 389,069 20 Claims. (Cl. 222-180) This invention relates to a hang-up dispensing cap for containers and more particularly to a dispensing cap having a valve actuating arm in the form of a movable hook by which the container can be hung when not in use.

Dispensing caps for containers have utilized a rotatable valve mechanism comprising an arm containing a fluid passage and the arm is lifted from a horizontal to a vertical position in order to align the passage with an opening in the container, thereby communicating the passage with the fluid in the container. Typical ofsuch dispensing caps is the one shown in US. Patent No. 3,023,939. A wide arc of movement can be utilized for such a valve arm since no attempt has been made to provide the cap with a hook means to support the container. Also, the valve passage for such dispensing caps is sealed only at the end connecting with the open end of the container so that when the valve is closed, fluid remains in the valve passage and can leak out. Also, any fluid remaining in the passage is open to atmosphere so that it dries out and clogs the passage preventing further discharge of fluid from the container.

In the present invention, the valve can be an integral part of a movable actuating arm in the form of a hook which serves to support the cap and the container attached thereto. Since the hook arm extends transversely across the cap, only a limited amount of movement is available for opening and closing the valve. The movable hook arm provides a handle separate from the valve for actuating the valve and also provides means for hanging the cap and container on a rod or other support in the shower, bathroom, or other locations where the container is in use. When the cap and dispenser are hung by the hook, the weight thereof can serve to produce a force on the hook which holds the hook in a position in which the valve passage is closed. Thus, there is no danger of discharging the fluid while the container is hanging and not in use. The end of the hook is provided with a knob which projects over the longitudinal axis of the container and this knob serves to maintain the hook on any type of rod or other support. The valve passag can be'sealed at both ends since in the closed position, the cap body can cover the discharge end of the passage. Thus, fluid which is trapped in the valve passage when the valve is closed cannot accidentally leak out nor can it dry out to block the valve passage. The direction in which the hook arm moves can be varied in the various forms of the invention since the hook can be pressed downwardly, can be rotated sidewise about a transverse axis, or can be twisted about the longitudinal axis.

The present invention provides a practical dispenser cap for supporting a container so that the container does not have to be laid down when not in use. The hook armfor the cap can be supported in numerous places in the vicinity of the shower, bathtub, and other areas where it is difiicult to handle containers equipped with prior types of dispensing caps. For instance, while taking a shower, it is difficult to locate soap bars or liquid soap containers that lay on their sides. Since the present invention can hang a container on the shower head, soap bar tray, towel rod, or other fixtures that exist in showers, bathrooms, kitchens, surgical rooms, and similar locations,

the container can be hung up in a location readily accessible to the user.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a hang-up dispensing cap for a fluid or paste con- Patented June 14, 1966 across the top of the cap without excessive cutting away of the cap.

Another object of the invention is to provide a hangup dispensing cap in which the valve is connected with an actuating arm in the form of a hook and in which the valve passage, when in closed position, is sealed at opposite ends to prevent undesirable leakage and drying out of the fluid trapped in the passage.

A further object of the invention is to provide a dispensing cap in which the valve'is operated by a movable hook handle and the weight of the container and its contents produces a force on the handle in the direction to hold the valve in closed position.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a actuating arm which incorporates the valve for a dispensing container; said actuating arm being in the form of a hook terminating in an enlarged knob which serves to hold the hook on various support surfaces.

Another object of the invention is to provide a dispensing cap in which the valve portion is actuated by an arm in the form of a hook and in which the arm is moved about one of a number of axes differently located with respect to the cap and container.

These and other objects of the invention not specifically set forth above .will become readily apparent from the accompanying description and drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a first form of the invention in which the hook arm is rotated downwardly about an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the cap and container;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevat-ional view taken in the direction of arrow 2 of FIGURE 1 showing the hook portion of the actuating arm;

FIGURE 3 is a side elevational view taken in the direction of arrow 3 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a vertical section along lines 4-4 of FIGURE 3 showing the valve passage in the valve portion of the actuating arm which is in closed position;

FIGURE 5 is a viewsirnilar to FIGURE 4 and showing the valve passage in the open position with the hook arm pressed backward and downwardly;

FIGURE 6 is a section taken along line 66 of FIG- URE 3 showing one side of the-barrel support for the actuating arm;

FIGURE 7 is a section taken along line 7-7 of FIG- URE 4 showing the barrel located within the barrel cavity and engaging the sides of the cavity;

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged vertical section along line 88 of FIGURE 7 showing the valve passage in open position;

FIGURE 9 is an expanded perspective view showing the barrel on the actuating arm and the cavity in the cap for receiving the barrel;

FIGURE 10 is a perspective view of a first modification of the invention wherein the actuating arm rotates downwardly about a transverse axis and the major valve passage is in the cap rather than in the arm;

FIGURE 11 is a side elevational view taken in the direction of arrow 11 of FIGURE 10;

FIGURE 12 is a side elevational view taken in the direction of arrow 12 of FIGURE 10;

FIGURE 13 is a vertical section along line 13--13 of 3 FIGURE 11 illustrating the valve portion of the actuating arm in closed position;

FIGURE 14 is a sectional view similar to FIGURE 13 showing the valve and actuating arm in position to open the passage;

FIGURE 15 is a perspective view of a third form of the invention in which the actuating arm is rotated sidewise and downwardly about an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the cap and container;

FIGURE 16 is an elevational view taken in the direction of the arrow 16 of FIGURE 15;

FIGURE 17 is a side elevational view taken in the direction of the arrow 17 of FIGURE 15;

FIGURE 18 is a vertical section along line 18*13 of FIGURE 16 showing the movable valve portion of the actuator arm in closed position;

FIGURE 19 is a top plan view of the cavity for the valve portion of the actuator arm and showing the stationary portions of the fluid passage which are in the cap;

FIGURE 20 is a side elevational view of a fourth form of the invention showing an actuator arm which is twisted about the longitudinal axis of the cap and container;

FIGURE 21 is a side elevational view of the dispenser cap of FIGURE 20 from the other side;

FIGURE 22 is a vertical section taken along line 22-22 of FIGURE 20 and showing the movable valve passage in open position;

FIGURE 23 is a horizontal section along line 2323 of FIGURE 22 showing the cavity for receiving the movable valve portion containing the passage;

FIGURE 24 is a horizontal section along line 24-24 of FIGURE 22 illustrating the movable valve portion; and

FIGURE 25 is a horizontal section along line 25--25 0t FIGURE 22 showing the two positions assumed by the valve portion and actuator arm.

Referring now to the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGURES 19, the dispenser cap 29 comprises a body 30 having a cylindrical skirt 31 which surrounds the threaded end 32 of a container 33, such as a tube. The skirt is closed at the top by a panel 34 and has open slots 35 and 36 at opposite sides thereof. Also, an enlarged opening 37 is located intermediate the slots 35 and 36 and communicates with a partial cylindrically shaped socket 38 located above a center tubular portion 39. The bottom walls Wand 41 of the slots 35 and 36,'respectively, extend to connect with the circular projection 39 and the socket 38 is enclosed by opposite end walls 42 and 43 extending downwardly from the top panel 34. The projection 39 has a threaded surface 45 to receive the threaded end 32 of the tube 33, which end is open and abuts against top wall 46 of projection 39. An opening 47 extends through the wall 46 between the open end 32 of the tube and the interior of the socket 38, and the opening is controlled by valve means presently to be described. The bottom edge 48 of the skirt 31 is tapered so that it will conform to the top slanted portion 49 of the tube 33 when the cap 29 is tightened down onto the open end 32 of the tube.

An actuating arm 55 has a hook portion 56 and a valve portion 57. The valve portion includes a barrel 58' which has ends 59 and 60 extending from opposite sides of the valve portion 57 and connected by lower curved portion 61 so that the cavity 38 receives the barrel 58 and the valve portion 57 extending to each side of the barrel can move in slots 35 and 36. Since the bottom surfaces 40 and 41 are slanted downwardly, the valve portion 57 can rotate about the barrel 53.

The barrel 58 is inserted into the cavity 38 through a confined space defined by cavity edges 62 and 63. Since the distance between the edges 62 and 63 is less than the diameter of the barrel 58 by several thousandths of an inch, considerable force is required to seat the barrel within the cavity 38 by pressing the edges 62 and 63 outwardly. The actuating arm 55 is fabricated of a hard plastic while the cap body is formed of a softer plastic so that the deformation caused by interference between portions of these two parts will occur in the softer cap body. When the barrel is seated, the edges 62 and 63 return to substantially their original position thereby locking the barrel 58 within the cavity 38. A valve passage 65 is located in the valve portion 57 of the actuating arm and the inlet end 66 at one side of the barrel 58 is in a position to move into and out of communication with the stationary passage 47. The outlet opening 67 is located at the outer end of the valve portion 57.

When the actuating arm 55 is in the position shown in FIGURE 4, the valve passage 65 is out of communication with passage 47 so that the passage is closed to the fluid in the container 33. When the actuating arm 55 is moved downwardly into the position of FIGURE 5, the valve passage 65 is in communication with the opening 47 and the outlet opening 67 is above the skirt 31 so that fluid can be discharged from the container 33. The skirt 31 has a portion 31a which extends across the end of the slot 36 and opposite the outlet opening 67. A slight ridge 68 is placed around the outlet opening 67 and a slight elevation 69 is placed on the skirt portion 31a. When the actuating arm is in the closed position of FIGURE 4, the ridge 68 will be pressed downwardly to receive the elevation 69, thereby sealing the outlet opening 67 and holding the end of the actuating arm in the slot 36. At the same time, the inlet end 66 of the passage 65 is sealed by the barrel 58 in cavity 38 above the opening 47.

The barrel 58 is over-sized for the cavity 31 by several thousand in its diameter dimension and also in its length dimension so that after the barrel is once forced past the edges 62 and 63, it is in interference with the cavity 38. In order to form a tight seal around the inlet opening 66 when it is in communication with passage 47, the bottom of cavity 38 is provided with a center seat portion 70 which is raised several thousandths of an inch above the bottom of the cavity 38 at the location of passage 47. Also, the raised portion 70 is surrounded by a sealing ridge 71 in the form of a square which is several thousandths of an inch in height, and the ridge serves to further sealthe barrel and prevent leakage around the barrel at the location of communication between the opening 47 and the inlet 66 of the passage 65. As illustrated in FIGURE 7, the seat 70 will somewhat deform the barrel to provide a very tight relationship between the barrel and the raised seat 70. Also, the ends 59 and 60 of the barrel are tapered inwardly about 15 to define sharp edges 59a and 60a which form sealing tracks in the sides 42 and 43, respectively, of the cavity 38. Thus, by providing a barrel 58 which is somewhat oversized, a tight fit will be provided between the barrel and the cavity and the communication between opening 47 and inlet 66 will not only be sealed by the raised seat 70 and ridge '71 but also by the protrusion of the ends 59a and 60a into the side of the cavity. The interference between the barrel and cavity is not great enough to interfere with the opening and closing of the valve by a slight force of the hand of the hook arm 55. In the event of initial stiffness in the operation of the actuating arm, a lubricant such as silicon oil can be placed in the barrel to help free the movement between the parts. Since the full weight of the container and its contents are supported at the surface of engagement between the barrel 58 and the cavity 38, it is important that the fit is sufiiciently fluid tight so that leakage will not occur between the cavity and the barrel as a result of the hanging force.

As illustrated in FIGURE 1, the hook portion 56 terminates in a knob 75 which serves to hold the hook on a rod or other support when the actuating arm is in the closed position to close the passage 65. The hook portion 56 extends over the center longitudinal axis of the cap so that the knob is located to one side of the center of the cap and the primary hanging force will be assumed by the hook portion of the arm. However, the knob serves to retain the hook portion on the support and keep it from slipping off the support under unfavorable hanging conditions.

By placingthe passage 65 angularly through the valve portion 57 of the actuating arm, the total movement of the actuating arm 55 can be held to small arc, such as 15-20 degrees, so that it is not necessary to severely deform the cap as would be' required for a large arc of movement of the arm. Since the Weight of the container and its contents produces an upward force on the hook portion of the arm when the container is supported by the hook portion, this force is in the direction to bias the arm towards the closed position of the valve shown in FIGURE 4 and the weight holds the valve closed while the container is supported by the hook. The inlet opening 66 is slightly enlarged opposite the passage 47 so that exact alignment with the opening 47 is not required for registration of the two openings. When the valve portion is in closed position, the passage 65 is sealed at the inlet opening 66 and at the outlet opening 67. Thus, fluid trapped in the passage 65 when closed cannot leak out of the passage and cannot dry out and solidify while trapped in the passage. Thus, dripping of the fluid and blocking of the passage by dried out fluid is avoided.

The dispensing cap illustrated in FIGURES 1-9 provides a hang-up cap having an actuating arm which serves ,both to move the valve passage into and out of communication with fluid in the container and to support-the container when not in use. The hook in the up, closed position of FIGURE 4 can support the container on any type of ledge or rod and the knob 75 will prevent the hook from slipping off the support. The ability to hang the container on such supports is particularly useful when the container contains soap or shampoo which is used in the shower or bath and the easy opening and tight closing of the container conserves the fluid. Further, when the hook arm supports the container, the weight of the fluid and the container is directly downward in a direction to hold the hook in the closed position and leakage of the fluid is prevented.

A second form of the invention is illustrated in FIG- URES 14 wherein the dispensing cap 79 has a body portion 80 comprising a skirt 81. The body is closed by a curved top 82 which comprises a solid portion 83 and a slot 84 defined by surface projections 82a and 82b. The interior surface 85 provides a cavity for the sphere surface 87 on valve portion 88 of the actuating arm 89. The arm 89 has an end hook portion 90 having a knob 91 at the end thereof for retaining the hook portion on a support structure. A right angle groove 92 is cut in the valve portion 87 and forms a second partial spherical surface 93.

The body portion 83 has a bottom wall 97 and the slot 84 has a'bottom wall 98, both walls leading to a center tubular projection 99. The interior surface 100 of the projection 99 is threaded to receive threaded end 101 of the tube 102 to which the cap is attached. The threaded end 101 has an opening 103 which communicates with the cavity 85 containing the valve portion 88 and the body portion 83 contains a passage 104 also com municating with the cavity. When the actuating arm 89 is in the position for hanging the container 102, the valve portion 88 is in the position shown in FIGURE 13 wherein the spherical surface portion 87 closes the passage 104 and the spherical surface portion 93 closes the opening 103 in the end of the tube. Thus, the flowof fluid from the tube through the passage 104 is blocked by the valve portion 88.

The hook arm portion 90 passes over the longitudinal axis of the cap and the weight of the container produces a force on the hook arm to hold the valve portion in closed position. When it is desired to remove fluid from the tube, the actuating arm 89 is moved downwardly into the position illustrated in FIGURE 14 wherein the groove 92 in the valve portion 88 permits fluid to flow from the opening 103 into the discharge passage 104. In assembling this form of the cap dispenser, the arm 89 is first placed through the arm opening in surface and the valve portion 88 is forced with the interference fit into the cavity defined by the surface 85. The hook arm is made of a hard plastic and the body 80 is made of the soft plastic and the interference fit is provided by making the valve portion 88 slightly larger than its cavity.

In this form of the invention,'the valve passage 103 is stationary in the body of the cap whereas in the prior embodiment, the valve passage moved with the valve portion of the actuating arm. By utilizing the spherical valve portion 88, it is possible to move the valve from open to closed position by a small angular movement of the actuating arm so that it is unnecessary to cut away a large portion of the cap to provide large arm movement.

Referring to FIGURES 15-19, a third embodiment of the invention is illustrated wherein a dispensing cap comprises a body skirt 111 and a top surface 112 rising upwardly from the skirt and having end panels 113 and 114. The surface 112 defines a cylindrical cavity 115 having a slot 116 at the top thereof and the slot has an enlarged portion 117 adjacent end wall 118 of the cavity 115. The bottom wall 119 of cavity 115 supports a tubular projection 120 which has a threaded interior surface 121 for engaging the threaded end 122 of the container 123. The bottom wall 119 contains an opening 125 for fluid to pass from the container to the cavity 115.

The actuating arm 126 comprises a hook portion 127 .and .a cylindrical valve portion 128 which is connected to the arm by a web 129. The actuating arm 126 is fabricated of a harder plastic than the cap body. The valve portion 128 is pressed into the cavity 115 with an interference fit while the web 129 moves through the slot 116 to the wider portion 117. A square ridge 130 is formed around the opening 125 and is raised several thousands of an inch from the surface of cavity 115. The ridge is compressed by the harder cylinder 128 to form a seal around the opening 125 to prevent leakage of the fluid.

The cylinder 128 contains a passage slot 131 which moves into registration with the opening 125 when the actuating mm 126 is in the tilted, dotted line position illustrated in FIGURE 16. In this position, the slot 131 also connects with a slot 132 in the wall 119 of the cavity 115, to complete a fluid discharge path from the container through opening 125, slot 131 and slot 132. When the actuating arm 126 is moved to the upright, full line position of FIGURE 18, slot passage 131 is rotated away from the opening 125 and from slot 132 in order to block the flow of fluid out of the container. Thus, when the container is hung up by the hook .portion 127, the downward force on the hook portion will hold the hook in the upright position and keep the valve closed. During movement of the valve portion, the web moves in enlarged slot portion 117, and one edge of the slot positions the web in the valve closed position and the other slot edge positions the web in the valve open pos1- tion. The actuating arm 127 has a cover portion 133 which extends from the web 129 to cover the slot 116.

In this form of the invention, the valve can be operated by small angular movement of the actuating arm 126 which permits the cap to be structurally maintained without excessive cutting away of the cap. As in the previous forms, the actuating arm is in the form of a hook which serve to hang the container and the weight of the container and its contents maintains the valve in closed position during hanging of the container.

A fourth embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGURES 20-25 and comprises a dispensing cap which is operated by twisting motion. The device 150 comprises a body portion 151 having a skirt 152 and a 7 top surface 153. The top surface contains a circular well 154 having a bottom 155 and a tapered depression or cavity 156 having a bottom wall 157. A tubular extension .158 extends downwardly from surface 153' and has an interior threaded surface 159 to which is threaded end 160 of the container 161. The depression 156 is bounded by a raised edge 162 which contains an opening 163 and the bottom wall 155 of well 154 contains an opening 164; both openings forming portions of the fiuid discharge passage.

Actuating arm 165 comprises a hook arm portion 166 and a valve portion .167 in the form of a circular top plate having a cylindrical projection 168 which is pressed into the cylindrical well 154 with an interference fit. As in the prior embodiments, the actuating arm 165 is made of a harder plastic than the cap body so that an interference is produced by making the portion .168 slightly oversized. The well 154 contains a ridge 169 which is received by a groove in the projection 168 in order to firmly secure the projection in the well while permitting rotation of the projection about the longitudinal axis of the cap. The valve portion 167 also has a rim 170 which projects downwardly around the top edge of the skirt 152 of the valve body and a valve enlargement 173 extends outwardly from the projection 168 into the cavity 156. The enlargement 173 contains a passage 174 and the rim 170 contains a passage .175 in alignment with the passage 174. A passage 176 extends downwardly from passage 174 and is located off center in projection 168 so that the passage 176 moves in an are about the center of the projection as the actuating arm is twisted.

When the actuating arm 165 is in the full line position of FIGURE 25, enlargement 173 has been rotated against the side 179 of the cavity 156 and in this position, the passage 176 is in communication with the opening 164, and the passage 173 and opening are in alignment with the opening 163. Thus, a complete fluid passage is formed from the open end of tube 160 to the discharge opening 175. When it is desired to close the passage, actuator arm 165 is twisted to place enlargement 173 against the edge 180 of the cavity 156 so that the passage 173 is blocked by the edge 162. Thus, the cylindrical projection 168 seals the passage 176 and the edge K162 seals the passage 174 so that no fluid can leak out of the container and only the small amount of fluid in openings 163 and 175 is.

not protected from atmosphere after closing of the discharge passage. As in the prior embodiments, the weight of the container 161 and its contents is supported by the hook portion 166 on any desired support member and the hook arm has a knob 180 which serves to retain the hook on a support member. Because of the interference between the valve portion of the actuating arm and the cap body, the valve member will stay in either open or closed. position after being positioned by the actuating arm. There is no tendency for the valve portion to move towards open position while the weight of the container is supported by the hook arm portion. While the weight force does not bias the actuating arm towards closed position, there is no resultant from the weight force tending to move the actuating arm.

The present invention thus provides a dispensing cap which is actuated by an actuating arm which is in the form of a hook. This permits the container and its contents to be conveniently supported in locations where the contents are being used. Further, the weight force on the hook does not force the valve portion toward open position and multiple seals for the fluid discharge passage are provided. By utilizing a small valve movement, the dispenser cap does not have to be extensively deformed to permit movement of the actuator arm. Various modifications of the invention in addition to those disclosed herein are contemplated by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter defined by the appended claims.

8 What is claimed is: 1. A hang-up dispensing cap for a container having: a discharge opening; body means attached to said container adjacent said opening; valve means movable in said body means between open and closed positions for controlling the discharge of material from said opening; and a movable hook shaped actuating arm connected with said valve means for moving said valve means between said open and closed position and for supporting said containers after movement into position to locate said valve means to close said passage means. 2. A hang-up dispensing cap as defined in claim 1 comprising:

passage means in said valve means having inlet and discharge portion; and means comprising sections of said body means for sealing both said inlet and'discharge portions when said valve means is in said closed position to provide a double seal for said passage means. 3. A hang-up dispensing cap as defined in claim 1 comprising:

passage means in said valve means having an inlet opening connectible with said discharge opening and an outlet opening from which the material in said container is directly discharged for use; and means comprising sections of said body means for sealing both said inlet and outlet openings when said valve means is in said closed position to prevent dripping from said passage means and solidifying of the material trapped in said passage means. 4. A hang-up dispensing cap for a container having: a discharge opening; a cap body attached to said container adjacent said opening; an actuating arm comprising a valve portion and a hook portion, said arm being supported by said cap body for movement with respect thereto; said valve portion containing passage means movable by said arm into open and closed position to control the discharge of material from said container opensaid hook portion being in position to support said container when said passage means is in said closed position. 5. A hang-up dispensing cap as defined in claim 4 comprising:

pivot means on said valve portion; and cavity means in said valve body for receiving said pivot means and permitting movement of said valve portion by said actuating arm into said open and closed positions. 6. A hang-up dispensing cap as defined in claim 5 wherein:

said pivot means comprises a barrel section on said valve portion;

said cavity means comprising a partial cylindrical surface for receiving said barrel section and positioned transversely to the longitudinal axis of said cap means so that said arm pivots upwardly and downwardly about said barrel section.

7. A hang-up dispensing cap as defined in claim 6 comprising first and second slots in said cap body extending face for receiving said partial spherical section; and

a vertical slot in said cap body connecting with cavity means and guiding said actuating arm for pivotal up and down movement about said spherical section.

10. A hang-up dispensing cap as defined in claim wherein;

said pivot means comprises a cylindrical section of said valve portion;

said cavity means comprising a cylindrical cavity for receiving said cylindrical section;

said cylindrical cavity being positioned transversely to the longitudinal axis of said cap body and having a top slot through which said cylindrical section connects with said hook portion of said arm;

said actuating arm moving from said open to closed positions by up and down sidewise motion about said cylindrical section.

11. A hang-up dispensing cap as defined in claim 5 wherein:

said pivot means comprises a cylindrical SCCtlOu of said valve portion;

said cavity means comprising a cylindrical cavity extending along the longitudinal axis of said cap body for receiving said cylindrical section;

said actuating arm moving from said open to closed position by twisting motion about the longitudinal axis of said cap body.

12. A hang-up dispensing cap for a container having a v discharge opening comprising:

a cap body attached to said container adjacent said discharge opening;

an actuating arm comprising a valve portion and a hook portion;

cavity means in said cap body for receiving at least a part of said valve portion to support said actuating arm for pivotal movement with respect to said body;

stationary passage means in said cap body connecting with said discharge opening; and

movable passage means in said valve portion movable by said arm;

said arm having a first position placing said movable passage means in communication with said stationary passage means and having a second position placing said movable passage means out of communication with said stationary passage means in order to control discharge of material from said container;

said arm in said second position being in its uppermost attitude for supporting said container by said hook portion with the weight of said container holding said movable passage means in closed position.

13. A hang-up dispensing cap as defined in claim 12 having:

a cylindrical surface section on said valve portion and barrel shaped ends projecting therefrom, said cavity being located in said body transversely thereof and being cylindrical in shape with a top opening for receiving said ends and surface section;

said valve portion extending substantially transversely across the said cap body perpendicularly to the axis of said cavity and being movable in first and second slots in said cap body on opposite sides of said cavity, said first slot receiving the free end of said arm terminating at the body circumference;

said movable passage means extending from said cylindrical surface section to said free end of said valve portion;

said actuating arm being rotated about said axis of said cavity into said first and second positions and said hook portion extending from the valve portion at said second slot.

14. A hang-up dispensing having:

a portion of said cap body closing the end of said movable passage means at said free end when said arm is in said second position;

cap as defined in claim 13 said free end being moved above said body portion when said arm is moved downwardly into said first position to permit discharge of material through said movable passage means.

15. A hang-up dispensing cap as defined in claim 13 having: 1

a raised seat portion on the surface of the said cavity around said stationary passage means to provide an interference fit between said surface section and said cavity; and

a ridge on said seat surrounding said stationary passage means to provide an additional seal between said surface section and said cavity.

16. A hang-updispensing cap as defined in claim 12 having:

first and second spherical surface sections on said valve portion with said movable passage means therebetween;

said cavity comprising a spherical portion connecting with a cylindrical portion surrounding said discharge opening of said container;

said stationary passage means connecting with said cavity for opening and closing by said first spherical surface section and second spherical surface section controlling said discharge opening;

a slot extending from said spherical cavity portion for receiving the hook portion of said arm extending from said valve portion upwardly;

the downward movement of said arm into said first position opening said discharge opening and said stationary passage means and connecting same through said movable passage means.

17. A hang-up dispensing cap as defined in claim 12 having:

a cylindrical section on said valve portion;

said movable passage means comprising a slot passage in the surface of said cylindrical section, said cavity being located in said cap body transversely thereof and being cylindrical in shape with a top slot opening having small and large section;

said cylindrical section being located in said cavity and being connected with said hook portion by a Web extending through said large portion of said top slot;

said stationary passage means comprising passage sections in said cap body, one of which connects with said discharge opening and the other extending to the periphery of said cap body;

said slot passage connecting between said passage section when said hook portion is rotated sidewise and downwardly into said first position for said arm;

said hook portion positioning said slot passage out of communication with said passage sections when raised to its vertical position corresponding to said second position for said arm.

18. A hang-up dispensing cap as defined in claim 17 wherein-said one passage section comprises:

a vertical opening in said cap body connecting between said cavity and said discharge opening;

said cylindrical element being oversized to provide an interference fit with said cavity;

a raised ridge on the surface of said cavity around said one passage section to provide additional sealing between said cylindrical element and said cavity; and

said Web engaging one side of said large portion of said slot when said arm is in said first position and engaging the opposite side of said large portion when said arm is in said second position.

19. A hang-up dispensing cap as defined in claim 12 wherein said valve portion comprises:

a circular top plate having a cylindrical projection and an enlargement extending therefrom, said cavity comprising a vertical cylindrical well for receiving said projection and an enlargement extending therefrom, said cavity comprising a vertical cylindrical well for 1 1 receiving said projection and a horizontal tapered depression for receiving said enlargement;

said movable passage means comprising a first passage section in said projection and a second passage secti on in said enlargement;

said second passage section being interrupted by an edge of said cap body having an opening therein, and said first passage section being interrupted by the bottom wall of said well having an opening therein connecting with said discharge opening; and

said enlargement engaging one side of said depression to align said first passage section with said wall opening and said second passage section with said edge opening when said arm is in said first position and engaging the opposite edge of said depression when 15 said arm is twisted into said second position to block said first passage section with said wall and said second passage section with said edge.

20. A hang-up dispensing cap as defined in claim 19 having a circular ridge on said Well projecting inwardly from the surface thereof and said projection contains a groove for receiving said ridge to rotatably connect said valve portion to said cap body.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,632,087 6/1927 Lillford 222-180 2,760,687 8/1956 Spier et al 222-180 2,805,801 9/1957 Jacobs et al. 222-545 3,023,939 3/1962 Gustafson 222545 X 3,094,256 6/1963 Ensch 222-545 X LOUIS J. DEMBO, Primary Examiner.

CHARLES R. CARTER, Examiner. 

1. A HANG-UP DISPENSING CAP FOR A CONTAINER HAVING: A DISCHARGE OPENING; BODY MEANS ATTACHED TO SAID CONTAINER ADJACENT SAID OPENING; VALVE MEANS MOVABLE IN SAID BODY MEANS BETWEEN OPEN AND CLOSED POSITIONS FOR CONTROLLING THE DISCHARGE OF MATERIAL FROM SAID OPENING; AND 